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Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 17:14
Born in Worcester near the end of the First World War, Gordon studied art at the London Regent Polytechnic and became involved with interior design and exhibition work.
He carried out camouflage planning in the Second World War, and then went to Italy and Greece with the Royal Signals.
At the end of hostilities he taught art, Greek and current affairs in the services education unit in Athens, and became a fellow of the Athens Polytechnic school of Art.
After demobilisation, he joined the British Embassy information department as manager of the Anglo-Greek News Centre, organising exhibitions about British culture.
Returning to the UK, he worked as a PR for the paints division of ICI and was instrumental in introducing the Dulux dog.
He married his wife, Hermine, in 1951, after meeting her at a linguists club in London, and in 1970 moved to Congresbury, with two children.
He was involved in amateur dramatics, with the Backwell Players, as a compere with a travelling theatre revue show, and as an active member of the Bristol Playwrights Society.
After retirement, for three years he lectured at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School on the history of drama, and taught Greek and public speaking.
He spoke fluent Greek, Spanish and French, and some German, Italian and Russian.
He painted and drew all his life, and his paintings were exhibited in London, the West of England Academy and on Clevedon Pier. His memory will live on in his many paintings around the locality and all over the world.
Music was one of Gordon's lifelong passions and he contributed to World Service classical broadcasts. He had been a regular member of Congresbury Culture Club, and instigated the Congresbury music appreciation group, which is still going strong after 30 years.
He was a prominent member of Congresbury History Group.
Gordon leaves a widow, a son, Carl, a daughter, Yvonne, and five grandchildren.
The funeral service was conducted by the Rev Vanessa Cole, followed by interment in Congresbury churchyard.
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